OCZ Vertex 4 128GB SSD Review (firmware 1.4 update)

When we reviewed the 512GB Vertex 4 in April, the drive literally blew us away. Finally, the Sandforce 2281 controller was dethroned at the top of the performance charts. Today we are looking at the 128GB Vertex 4, with the latest 1.4 firmware revision.

OCZ released the 1.4 firmware early in May which they say could boost the performance of the Vertex 4 by up to 110% in specific situations. V1.4 RC increased 128kb sequential reads from 535MB/s to 550MB/s on the 128GB, 256GB and 512GB models, while 128KB sequential writes have increased from 200MB/s to 420MB/s, 380MB/s to 465MB/s. A short while ago the ‘release candidate’ firmware hit full release status and this is the version we test today.

The 128GB Vertex 4 has seen a price cut from many stores, and ARIA in the United Kingdom are stocking it at only £105.95 inc vat, which looks to be the cheapest in the United Kingdom today.

Vertex 4 128GB

Vertex 4 256GB

Vertex 4 512GB

Sequential Read

535MB/s (550MB/s)

535MB/s (550MB/s)

535MB/s (550MB/s)

Sequential Write

200MB/s (420MB/s)

380MB/s (465MB/s)

475MB/s (no gain)

Random Read IOPS

90,000

90,000

95,000

Random Write IOPS

85,000

85,000

85,000

Max IOPS

120,000

120,000

120,000

When we initially reviewed the 512GB model, we received a few emails from readers who were concerned that the 128GB was rated at much lower speeds. OCZ claim that the 1.4 firmware will bring the 128GB performance up to similar levels as the 512GB model, for mainstream users anyway.

OCZ claim the faster speeds were made possible by “proprietary algorithms which orchestrate the sequence of physical NAND programming operations to ensure that each NAND device is optimally utilized.”